Sometimes you want to entertain light. You’ve had a big mid-day meal and the party continues. That’s when you plan a fun wine tasting and include nuts, cheese and apples for substance.
Plain nuts are fabulous on their own, but savory nuts add a bit of spice, salt and aromatic zest. They also show a little TLC for your guests. The following recipes pair well with Brie. The creamy butteriness balances the spice. Wines that pair well will be more sweet, without tannins. Examples are Riesling, pinot noir, rosé, or bubbles! A jar of rosemary-herbed Spanish Marcona almonds are an easy third nut option.
Baked Brie
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 1/4 wheel brie on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Optionally, you may drizzle with honey. Bake 5 to 7 minutes, or until cheese starts to ooze but not melt.
Hot & Spicy Pecans
- 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cups pecan halves
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, mix butter (melted), Worcestershire sauce, red pepper, salt and garlic powder. Stir in pecans and gently toss with chili powder until coated. Spread pecans on a baking sheet and cook 30 minutes in oven. Stir every 10 minutes.
Curried Cashews
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 1/4 cups roasted cashews, salted
- 2 Tablespoons curry powder
- salt to taste
Melt butter in a sauté pan. Add nuts. Cook slowly over medium heat until cashews are browned. Move to a plate covered with a paper towel to dry. Sprinkle with the curry powder.
